The SWOT satellite recently recorded an unprecedented nine-day tsunami. This event followed a significant rockslide in Greenland’s Dickson Fjord. The satellite is part of an international mission by NASA and France’s Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES). The event occurred in September 2023. A unique pattern of seismic waves resonated around the world. This marked one of the rare instances where satellite data captured a prolonged natural phenomenon with such clarity.
Satellite’s Breakthrough Detection in Remote Fjord
NASA reported a significant rockslide in the area. It unleashed over 25 million cubic meters of rock and ice into the fjord. It displaced the water and created a massive wave. The wave moved rhythmically between the fjord walls every 90 seconds for nine consecutive days. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientist Josh Willis called this a first. He said, “SWOT’s technology allowed us to see the wave contours. It was something we couldn’t achieve before.” The water levels on the northern side of Dickson Fjord rose as high as 1.2 metres in contrast to the southern side, emphasising the powerful impact of the rockslide.
Advanced Technology for Global Hazard Monitoring
SWOT operates at an altitude of around 900 kilometres. It utilises a Ka-band Radar Interferometer (KaRIn) to measure surface water height with precision. This technology captured the event’s effects in the confined fjord setting. Conventional altimeters could not achieve this due to their larger footprint. Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer, a scientist at NASA Headquarters, noted this capability highlights SWOT’s potential for monitoring hazards. It also contributes to preparedness. It aids in disaster risk reduction.
Innovative Partnership in Satellite Research
Since its launch in December 2022, SWOT has been instrumental in mapping global water levels. Developed with contributions from the Canadian and UK space agencies, NASA leads the mission’s U.S. operations, including the KaRIn instrument, with CNES managing various onboard systems and support. The data collected promises ongoing contributions to scientific understanding of Earth’s water dynamics.